nounmasculinepl: espectros
spectrum
1. The entire range of wavelengths or frequencies of electromagnetic radiation
The visible spectrum includes colors from red to violet.
O espectro visível inclui cores do vermelho ao violeta.
2. A ghost or phantom; an apparition
The old castle was said to be haunted by the specter of a knight.
O velho castelo era dito estar assombrado pelo espectro de um cavaleiro.
3. A range or scope of anything that can be arranged on a scale
The political spectrum ranges from left to right.
O espectro político vai da esquerda para a direita.
4. In medicine and biology, the range of organisms or substances affected by something
This antibiotic has a broad spectrum against bacteria.
Este antibiótico tem um amplo espectro contra bactérias.
In Brazil, 'espectro' is widely used in scientific and technical contexts, particularly in physics, chemistry, medicine, and environmental discussions. The term 'espectro autista' (autism spectrum) has become increasingly common in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese for discussing neurodiversity. The word also maintains its literary use referring to ghosts and phantoms in folklore and classic literature.
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